Tragedy In Ibadan: Ex-Queen’s Mother Speaks On The Custody Of Naomi Silekunola

Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, has opened up about her daughter’s plight following a stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a funfair event in Ibadan. In an emotional conversation with Biodun Busari, she detailed the tragic incident, the subsequent arrest of her daughter, and her appeal for public support to secure her release.

The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Mrs. Ogunseyi revealed that the police detained Naomi after the incident, which occurred on the morning of the event, December 24, 2024. The case has since been moved to a magistrate’s court, where it was adjourned to January 13, 2025. The court ordered Naomi, along with two others—the event promoter, Hamzat Oriyomi, and the school principal—to be remanded at a custodial facility in Agodi, Ibadan.

“My daughter has been wrongly detained without immediate notice to her lawyers. The magistrate stated that only the High Court could grant her bail,” Mrs. Ogunseyi lamented.

Organising the Event

The funfair was part of Naomi’s philanthropic efforts through her non-governmental organisation, which has supported women, children, and the less privileged over the years. Naomi had successfully organised similar events in several cities, including Akure, Ondo, and Ile Oluji.

For the Ibadan edition, the event’s promotion and venue arrangements were handled by Mr. Oriyomi of Agidigbo FM. The venue, Islamic High School in Basorun, was deemed spacious enough. However, on the day of the event, an overwhelming crowd led to overcrowding and chaos.

The Stampede

According to Mrs. Ogunseyi, the tragic stampede occurred between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., hours before the event was set to begin. Reports of parents throwing children over the fence in an attempt to enter the premises exacerbated the situation.

“Despite having security personnel present, the situation spiraled out of control. When my daughter learned of the tragedy, she immediately went to the police station to report it. However, instead of going home, she was detained,” Mrs. Ogunseyi recounted.

Emotional Appeal

In her plea, Mrs. Ogunseyi appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the families of the victims for intervention and forgiveness.

“Naomi loves children and has always been passionate about helping the underprivileged. This tragedy has left her heartbroken. She is not eating and has become emaciated in custody,” she said.

Seeking Justice and Reconciliation

Mrs. Ogunseyi expressed hope that the legal process would exonerate her daughter. She also emphasized the importance of continuing philanthropic initiatives despite the unfortunate incident.

“This was not intentional. It was a terrible accident. We are ready to reach out to the families of the victims, sympathize with them, and do everything possible to make amends,” she stated.

As the case unfolds, the family remains hopeful for a resolution that honors the victims while acknowledging the ex-queen’s intent to uplift the less privileged.